6-8
WORK CENTER SUPERVISORS
RESPONSIBILITIES
Work center supervisors have the following
responsibilities when working with HAZMATS:
Train work center personnel in the use of
MSDSs.
Ensure that before using hazardous materials,
personnel under their supervision have been trained in
the hazards associated with that material and are
equipped with the proper protective equipment.
Ensure damage control petty officer (DCPO)
has conducted preventive maintenance on flammable
liquid storage lockers. Inspect the location where
hazardous materials are stored or used.
Ensure that a copy of HMUG is available for
use by work center personnel.
Ensure that there is a valid maintenance
requirement for any open-purchased hazardous material
item not listed in the SHML.
Ensure used or excess hazardous materials are
turned over to the supply department for collection and
offloading to the cognizant shore facility.
CLEANING SOLVENTS
As a petty officer third class, you may be assigned
the task of supervising a cleanup detail. No matter what
the job—from paint removal to swabbing the decks—
precautions must be taken to guard against the careless
use of cleaning solvents. Take for example the Sailor
who did not read the labels on the cleaning materials he
was using to clean a commode. While using a chlorine-
based cleaner to clean the commode, he decided to clean
the drains at the same time. Therefore, he added a
granulated drain cleaner to the commode containing the
chlorine-based cleaner and then left the head. A few
minutes later, he heard a loud explosion. The chemical
reaction of the drain cleaner and the chlorine-based
cleaner caused an explosion in the commode. Luckily, no
one was hurt, but the head was a mess.
Precautions
Solvents used in paints, adhesives, rubber and
plastic materials, and in degreasing solutions can be
hazardous to your health. Most solvents are toxic and,
with a few exceptions, are flammable. Appropriate
measures must be taken to reduce their toxic and
flammable effects. In addition, solvents that come in
contact with your skin can cause serious skin problems.
When using solvents, always observe the following
precautions:
MAKE sure the space in which you are working
has adequate ventilation.
WEAR protective clothing, goggles, respirators,
gloves, and other appropriate equipment.
MAKE sure accessible fire-fighting equipment
is nearby.
TAKE every precaution to prevent excessive
vapors from contaminating the air.
CHECK the labels on all containers of liquids.
WIPE up spilled solvents immediately.
AVOID contact with your eyes, skin, or
clothing. You should NEVER swallow solvents and
should always avoid breathing the vapors.
KEEP solvent containers tightly closed when
you are not using them.
CHECK containers for leakage; if a container is
defective, transfer the solvent to a new container.
MAKE sure containers are empty before you
discard them. You must observe the approved practices
for disposal of solvents, cleaners, and their containers.
LABEL all containers used to store solvents.
READ and comply with all instructions and
precautions on the label.
For information on cleaning solvents, refer to Naval
Ships’ Technical Manual (NSTM), chapter 631.
When working with solvents, you must stress safety
precautions to your people. Solvents should NEVER be
